Spencer Leniu has accepted a two-game ban for a high shot on Phoenix Crossland in the Roosters‘ trial loss to the Knights.

Leniu was subject to a unique moment in the opening minutes, sin binned and taken from the field for a HIA in the same sequence.

Leniu came out of the hit second best, with Knights players holding him up as he stumbled.

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On Tuesday morning, he accepted a grade two careless high tackle charge. The Roosters play the Broncos and the Panthers in the first two rounds, making his absence even more difficult to stomach.

Bunnies import Lewis Dodd has also accepted a one-match ban for a hit on Sione Finau, as has Bulldogs enforcer Josh Curran for a hit on Bronco Jack Gosiewski.

Even though the game was only in its infancy, the Crossland blow was the second Leniu had taken to the head in the match. In an earlier Roosters attacking set, Leniu clashed heads with Dylan Lucas when taking a hit-up.

After the Crossland tackle, Leniu was being taken from the ground for a HIA when referee Peter Gough sin binned the State of Origin enforcer for the tackle.

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Leniu was bemused by the decision and continually looked up towards the big screen to watch a replay of the incident in question.

“He was as surprised as much as anybody was that he was going to the sin-bin,” Warren Smith said on Fox League commentary.

Leniu later returned to the match with the Knights leading 18-0.

However, the prop made an immediate impact, forcing a quick play-the-ball in attacking territory before teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase put Daniel Tupou over in the corner.

Newcastle were dominant in the first half, laying on six tries against the Tricolours.